Wearing apparel



April 1967 H. ROARK 3,311,924

WEARING APPAREL I Filed Sept. 1, 1965 W Htjv o rd Roork INVENTOR WJ MORNEYS Fig.5

United States Patent Office 3,311,924 WEARING APPAREL Howard Roarlr, 593 Bradford Drive, Richardson, Tex. 75980 Filed Sept. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 484,231 6 Claims. (Cl. 287) This invention relates to wearing apparel and more particularly relates to protective leg enclosures.

It is a particularly important object of the invention to'provide a new and improved protective leg enclosure.

It is another object of the invention to provide a protective leg enclosure which is supportable around the leg of the wearer from an overgarment which overlies the upper end of the enclosure.

It is another object of the invention to provide a protective leg enclosure which is readily attachable to and detachable from a partially overlying supporting overgarment.

It is another object of the invention to provide a protective leg enclosure of the wrap-around type having split vertical edges securable to each other after the enclosure has been placed in a wraparound relationship over a leg of the wearer.

it is another object of the invention to provide a leg enclosure which may be placed on the leg of the wearer without drawing the enclosure over the foo-t and shoe of the wearer.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a pair of protective leg enclosures with one enclosure being supportable over each leg of the wearer from the inside of each front quarter panel of an overlying garment.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a protective leg enclosure supportable from an integrally formed strap extending substantially coincident with a longitudinal centerline of the device which when on the leg of the wearer is generally oriented along a front longitudinal centerline of the wearers leg while the vertical longitudinal side edges of the enclosure releasably join together along a longitudinal line spaced substantially 180 degrees around the leg of the wearer extending along the back center of the wearers leg.

it is another object of the invention to provide a protective leg enclosure formed of a single piece of material.

It is another object of the invention to provide a protective leg enclosure which is supportable from a position minimizing probable entanglement of the lower end of the enclosure with the shoe of the wearer while walking or running.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a protective leg enclosure which has vertical split edges engageable with each other by a slide fastener operable in a downward direction from the upper ends of the edges to interconnect the edges and in an upward direction from the lower ends of the edges to detach the edges from each other.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a protective leg enclosure having an upper end comprising upwardly and inwardly converging edges.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a protective leg enclosure having an upper end section distributing the vertical support of the enclosure over a substantial portion of its upper end to minimize uneveness of the bottom edge of the enclosure.

It is another object of the invention to provide a protective leg enclosure having a rnulti-layered reinforced supporting strap.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide the combination of a protective overgarment with readily attachable and detachable protective leg enclosures sup- 3,311,924 Patented Apr. 4, 1967 ported over the legs of the wearer from the front quarter panels of the overgarment.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a combination of a protective overgarment, protective leg enclosures supported from the front quarter panels of the overgarment, and storage envelopes secured within such panels of the overgarment beneath the supporting straps of the leg enclosures for storing the leg devices when not in use.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the reading of the following description of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view illustrating an overgarment supporting a pair of protective leg enclosures and leg enclosure storage envelopes secured within the garment showing the lower half of the right front quarter panel of the garment partially opened to show the right enclosure securing means and a storage enevelope;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view partially in section and partially in elevation along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of a protective leg enclosure in an open and spread flat position and illustrating the multi-layer construction of its supporting strap; and,

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation illustrating one of the storage envelopes secured within a front quarter panel section of the overgarment.

Referring to the drawings, a pair of identical protective leg enclosures it are releasably suspended from an overgarment ll. Each of the leg enclosures is connected within one of the front quarter panels llla and 11b of the overgarment supported from near the waistline of the gar. ment. When not in use, each of the leg enclosures is stored within a storage envelope 12 secured on the inner face of each of the front quarter panels. The protective leg enclosures are positioned to fit over the legs of the wearer, not shown, of the overgarment to protect his trouser legs. The enclosures are worn during rain, snow, and any other time protection is desired for trouser legs.

FIGURE 3 illustrates one of the protective leg enclosures 10 in an unfolded, opened, and spread flat condition. The leg enclosure comprises a substantially rectangular main panel section or member 13 having an upper or top section 14 formed by the upwardly converging top edges 15 and 26 which extend to the integral top strap section 21 which supports the leg enclosure from the overgarment. The edges 15 and 2th converge toward and the strap section is located about on the vertical centerline of the panel section 13. The strap section includes a central or longitudinal section 21a and side longitudinal sections 21b and 210 which fold together forming a layered or laminated reinforced strap which is appreciably stronger than a single layer of the material of which the leg enclosure is formed. As indicated by the arrows at the upper end of the strap section, the section 2112 is folded over on the section 21a and the section 21c is then folded over on the section 21b. The three sections of the strap member are secured together by a cement adhesive or by stitching, depending upon the material of which the strap is formed.

The vertical side edges 22 and 23 of the panel 13 are releasably connectable together along substantially their full lengths by a slide fastener 24 comprising two stringers 24a and 24b which are secured to the central panel by the stitchings 24c and 24d, respectively. A slide 25 is connected on the stringer 23 and is securable to the stringer 22 and movable longitudinally along the stringers to interconnect them with each other. As illustrated, the slide fastener is a separable type permitting the vertical edges of the leg enclosure panel to be completely separated so that the leg enclosure may be placed around the leg of the wearer and then connected together thus eliminating any need for pulling the enclosure over the feet and shoes of the wearer. The stringers of the slide fasteners are initially engageable together at their upper ends with the edges of the central panel then being secured together by moving the slide fastener downwardly to the lower ends of the vertical edges so that the edges are completely connected from end to end as shown in FIGURE 1. By arranging the slide fastener for operation from the top downwardly the initial connection of the vertical edges at their upper ends is within easy reach of the hands of the wearer and the vertical edges will hang downwardly in close proximity to each other to facilitate securing the edges together as the slide 25 is moved downwardly.

Each of the protective leg enclosures is secured to the inside of its respective front quarter panel of the overgarment by a combination buckle and snap fastener assembly 31 which includes a buckle 32 having a snap fastener 33 detachably securable on the back side thereof. The snap fastener includes a first inner female portion 33a which is secured through an inner layer or lining 34 of the overgarment and a back panel 35 of the envelope 12. The snap fastener also includes an outer male portion 33b secured on the back side of the buckle 32 adapted to releasably engage the female portion 33a so that the two sections of the snap fastener may be readily engaged and disengaged. The buckle 32 includes a central circular lock member 40 between the buckle and the snap portion 33b having a plurality of spaced external teeth, not shown, around its outer periphery so that when the strap 21 of the leg enclosure is inserted through the back side of the buckle, over the lock member, and back through the buckle to its back side to form a loop section 21a, the loop fits over the member 40 so that its toothed edge holds the strap securely to the buckle. Pulling the strap above or below the buckle reduces the size of the loop to more tightly secure the strap in the buckle. The strap may readily be adjusted by grasping the loop 21a and pulling the loop outwardly from the lock member while sliding the strap through the buckle. When properly positioned the upper end of the strap is pulled to reduce the loops size and reengage the strap on the lock member.

Each of the envelopes 12 is secured to the inner lining 34 of the overgarment by a stitching 43 extending through the back panel 35 of the envelope and the inner lining of the overgarment. The upper edge 44 of the back panel of the envelope is located near the center or waist level of the overgarment near the lower end of a pocket slit 45 extending through an outer layer 50 and the inner lining of the overgarment in the front quarter panel section. The front panel 51 of each envelope has a V-shaped upper edge 52 the low point 52a of which is positioned below the upper edge 44 of the back panel of the envelope to provide ready access into the envelope for storage of the leg enclosure. The snap section 32a is secured through the back panel 35 of the envelope and the inner lining 34 slightly below the upper edge 44. If desired, the exposed edge of the enclosure and envelop may be doubled and cemented or sewn to minimize tearing or fraying.

When the leg enclosures are in use, the upper end of each of the enclosures formed by the upper edges and is supported inside the overgarment a substantial distance above the bottom edge 53 of the garment to provide complete protection to each trouser leg of the wearer while the lower edge of each leg enclosure extends downwardly over the lower edge of each enclosed trouser leg at or about at the top surfaces of the wearers shoes.

In order to use the leg enclosures, each enclosure is placed around the leg of the wearer over a lower end leg section of his trousers with the upper ends of the vertical side edges 22 and 23 being placed together and secured and the slide 25 engaged with the upper end of the vertical edge 22. The slide is then moved downwardly to the lower ends of the side edges securing the edges together from end to end. The leg enclosure fits loosely over the wearers trousers to avoid wrinkling them and thus the securing of the vertical edges by the slide fastener can be done with the edges oriented toward the front of the leg of the wearer so that he may more easily reach and see them. After the slide fastener is secured, the leg device is rotated around the wearers leg until the slide fastener is oriented substantially along the center line of the back of the wearers leg.

Either prior to or subsequent to securing the leg enclosures around the wearers legs, the buckle 32 is engaged on each strap section 21 by inserting the strap through the buckle over the locking member 40 as shown in FIG= URE 2. The buckle is secured to the overgarment by pressing the buckle with its snap section 32b to the snap section 32a thus securing the strap of each leg enclosure within its front one quarter panel. If the lower edge 30 of each of the enclosures is not at the proper level to fully cover the enclosed leg of the wearers trousers, the loop 21a is pulled outwardly away from the buckle and the strap is slipped to the proper position. The upper end of the strap is then pulled to reduce the size of the loop 21a to tighten the strap over the lock member 40 to hold the leg enclosure at the proper height.

With both of the leg enclosures secured to and sup ported by the overgarment over the trouser legs of the wearer, the trouser legs are shielded from rain, snow and other possibly damaging elements. The overlapping rela tionship of the quarter panels of the garment with the upper end sections of the leg enclosures prevents the entry of rain, snow or other damaging matter into the up er ends of the leg enclosures around the wearers trouser legs. Since the leg enclosures are suspended from the lower portion of each of the front quarter panels of the garment, the normal blowing back or separating of the quarter panels to expose the clothes of the wearer is mini mized as the quarter panels are operatively connected with the legs of the wearer through the straps and main panels of the leg enclosure and thus the quarter panels are held more closely to the wearers legs as he moves.

Each of the protective leg devices is easily removed and stored in its respective envelope. The slide 25 is grasped by the wearer and pulled upwardly until the upper ends of the vertical edges 22 and 23 are separated so that the leg device may be unfurled from around the wearers trouser leg. Preferably, the buckle and its snap section 33b are disengaged from the snap section 3312 by pulling the buckle away from the snap section 33a to completely disconnect the leg device from its quarter panel of the overgarment. The leg device is folded and then placed within the envelope by grasping the upper edge 52 of the envelope and pulling it just slightly away from the back panel 35 so that the folded leg enclosure is readi-- ly placed within the envelope.

It will be obvious that, if desired, the leg enclosure may be folded and placed within the envelope without disconnection of the strap from the overgarment though this method of folding and storing the enclosure may be somewhat more cumbersome than the preferred method of complete disconnection of the enclosure prior to folding and inserting it in the envelope.

The overgarment 11 may be any suitable form of outer garment such as an overcoat, a top coat, or a rain coat. The overgarment may be made of suitable material such as a conventional cloth, an impregnated water-proofed or water-repellant cloth, or a suitable plastic or rubber, depending upon the purposes to be served by the garment. While the particular overgarment described and illustrated herein is a multi-layered coat including an inner lining and an outer layer of material, many plastic or rubber raincoats will generally be of single layer construction using multiple layers only in certain areas for re-enforcemerit purposes. Where the overgarment is formed of rubber or a suitable plastic the storage envelope 12 may be secured within the garment with a suitable cement or by suitable heat processes, depending upon the materials involved.

The protective leg enclosures preferably are formed of a thin, flexible material which may be the same material of which the overgarment is made to obtain a suitable blend of color and texture between the enclosures and the overgarment. It will be obvious, however, that the construction of the overgarment and the leg enclosures of the same material is not at all essential to the effective protection provided by the leg enclosures. The enclosures may readily be made of a thin plastic material while the overgarment itself may be formed of an impregnated cloth. Where protection against wetting is not needed, the leg enclosures may be formed of a cloth.

The leg enclosures may be designed, manufactured, and sold as completely separate units from the overgarment where blending of color or texture of material is not required or desired. When sold separately the outer snap section 33a is sewn to the inner lining of a cloth coat or cemented with an extra layer of plastic if a rubber or plastic coat. Also the envelopes 12 may be dispensed with if desired.

The leg devices may be formed in any desired size though they preferably are formed in small, medium and large sizes to minimize production costs. Where plastic materials are used a certain degree of length adjustability may be provided by allowing extra material at the lower end below the slide fastener. The extra material is then trimmed to the desired length.

It will be obvious, also, that other forms of fasteners may be used to connect the vertical side edges of the leg enclosures and the strap to the quarter panels. For example, a button hole may be provided in the strap 21 and a button secured in each quarter panel to hold the leg enclosures. While the strap 21 has been illustrated and described as preferably an integral part of the main panel of the protective leg enclosures it will be obvious that the strap may be constructed as a separate member and suitably secured to the main panel. It is important that where the strap is made as a separate member, the shape of the upper end section 14 of each of the enclosures be maintained with the upwardly convergent edges 15 and 20 as illustrated since such shape provides more even support for the enclosure around the leg of the wearer tending to minimize the dropping of the side and the back portions downwardly relative to the front portion to minimize any tendency toward entanglement with the shoes of the wearer when moving. Where plastics or rubber are used for the enclosures it is preferred, however, that the single or integral form of construction be utilized to minimize chances of separation of the strap from the main panel.

The supporting of each leg enclosure along a front section of the enclosure from a front position of the overgarment minimizes the probability of the lower edge of the enclosure being caught by the toe of the wearers foot during walking, running, or climbing as the enclosure is held somewhat upwardly and away from the toe.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in the details of the construction illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination comprising: a coat-type overgarment having a pair of front quarter panels adapted to be fastened together to cover the front of the body of the wearer; a protective leg enclosure detachably supported from the inside face of each front quarter panel of said overgarment at the medial portion transversely of said quarter panel of said overgarment, whereby said leg enclosure is supported from said overgarment at a point in front of the leg of the wearer; the upper end of each of said protective leg enclosures extending substantially above the bottom edge of said overgarment; and the bottom edge of each of said leg enclosures extending substantially below said bottom edge of said overgarment to enclose the lower edge of a trouser leg within said enclosure when said combination is worn.

2. The combination of claim 1, including in addition a storage enevelope having an open upper end secured within each front quarter panel of said overgarment in the medial portion laterally of said quarter panel of said overgarment; and cooperating detachable fastening means on the upper inner portion of the open upper end of said envelope and on the upper end of the adjacent protective leg enclosure for detachably securing said leg enclosure to said overgarment at the upper end of said envelope, whereby said envelope provides means for storing each leg enclosure when said enclosures are not being used.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said protective leg enclosure comprises: a flexible panel member substantially rectangular in shape having a bottom edge and vertical side edges adapted to be detachably interconnected forming a wrap around enclosure for the leg of the wearer; means connected with said side edges for detachably securing said edges with each other; an upper end section formed on the said panel member having top edges converging upwardly and inwardly toward a line extending substantially along the vertical centerline of said panel member; a vertical supporting strap formed on said upper end section extending longitudinally substantially along said vertical centerline; and adjustable means associated with said strap for releasably supporting said leg enclosure from said overgarment, whereby said leg enclosure is adjustably supported from said overgarment by said strap at a point substantially in front of the leg of the wearer.

4. Protective wearing apparel comprising in combination: a coat; said coat having a back, sides, and detachably connectable front edges along right and left front quarter panels; a protective leg enclosure detachably secura'ble within each of said front quarter panels of said coat in the medial portion laterally of said quarter panels between the front edges and the sides of said coat; each of said leg enclosures comprising a panel member having a lower edge and vertical side edges detachably securable with each other; said panel member having an upper end section including top edges extending upwardly and converging inwardly toward each other in alignment with the vertical centerline of said panel member; a supporting strap formed on the upper end section of each of said panel members substantially aligned with said vertical centerline; and securing means for detachably and adjustably securing said straps of each of said leg enclosures within one of said front quarter panels of said coat in the medial portion laterally of said front quarter panels for supporting said leg enclosures in front of the legs of the wearer.

5. The combination of claim 4, including in addition a storage envelope having an open upper end secured within each of said front quarter panels of said coat between the side and the inner face of each of said panels and the supporting strap of each of said protective leg enclosures and having said securing means disposed in the upper inner portion of said open upper end of said envelope whereby said envelope provides means for storing each of said leg enclosures when not in use.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein each of said adjustable and detachable securing means comprises a self-locking buckle and snap assembly having one snap portion secured with the upper inner portion of the open upper end of one of the envelopes in one of the front quarter panels of said coat, and one snap portion and said buckle secured with said supporting strap of one of said leg enclosures.

(References on following page) References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENTS 813,383 9/1951 Germany. Topfner 362 Giorda 362 Huelster 5 PATRICK D. LAWSON, Przmary Exammer. Diamond 362 Fisch 2-86 RICHARD J. SCANLAN, Examiner. 

1. THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: A COAT-TYPE OVERGARMENT HAVING A PAIR OF FRONT QUARTER PANELS ADAPTED TO BE FASTENED TOGETHER TO COVER THE FRONT OF THE BODY OF THE WEARER; A PROTECTIVE LEG ENCLOSURE DETACHABLY SUPPORTED FROM THE INSIDE FACE OF EACH FRONT QUARTER PANEL OF SAID OVERGARMENT AT THE MEDIAL PORTION TRANSVERSELY OF SAID QUARTER PANEL OF SAID OVERGARMENT, WHEREBY SAID LEG ENCLOSURE IS SUPPORTED FROM SAID OVERGARMENT AT A POINT IN FRONT OF THE LEG OF THE WEARER; THE UPPER END OF EACH OF SAID PROTECTIVE LEG ENCLOSURES EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY 